Prosecutors And Public Defenders Can Get Loan Help

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley is accepting applications in a program that helps prosecutors and public defenders repay their education loans.

Jackley says applications will be accepted through Dec. 31.

The attorney general says the federally funded program is an incentive for prosecutors and public defenders to remain in public service. He says attorneys frequently mention student loan debt as the overwhelming reason they leave jobs as prosecutors and public defenders or decline to take those positions in the first place.

State prosecutors and state or federal public defenders in South Dakota may qualify for help in repaying student loans if they sign a three-year service agreement.

Jackley says the program helps make sure crime victims and those accused of crimes get good legal representation.